Pride and Prejudice and Zombies
Director: Burr Steers
Screenplay: Burr Steers
Producers: Marc Butan, Sean McKittrick, Brian Oliver, Natalie Portman, Annette Savitch, Allison Shearmur, Tyler Thompson
Release Date: 5th February 2016 (USA) / 11th February 2016 (UK)
Running Time: 108 minutes
Summary
Jane Austen’s classic tale of the tangled relationships between lovers from different social classes in 19th century England is faced with a new challenge – an army of zombies!
Starring
- Lily James |
- Sam Riley|
- Bella Heathcote |
- Sally Phillips |
- Charles Dance |
- Douglas Booth |
- Lena Headey |
- Matt Smith |
- Jack Huston
Summary
Violence Rating:
Although Pride and Prejudice and Zombies has been given a PG-13 Rating, the film features numerous violent, gory scenes. The Bennet sisters and their socialite friends and family shoot, kill, decapitate and mutilate zombies.
The zombies which populate Pride and Prejudice and Zombies are vividly depicted with decomposing flesh, exposed teeth, bones and muscles as well as missing limbs and facial features. As such, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is not nearly as gory as zombie films such as Resident Evil or Shaun of the Dead. However, some of its violent and gory scenes may frighten younger viewers.
Synopsis:
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is a cinematic adaptation of a novel which was originally inspired by Jane Austen’s classic novel, Pride and Prejudice. Burr Steers’ screenplay of Pride and Prejudice and Zombies introduces cinematic audiences to the Bennet sisters as they have never appeared before!
Set in Regency-era England, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies depicts the tale of Elizabeth Bennet and her four sisters. We join them as they strive to find wealthy suitors amidst fending off an impending zombie apocalypse.
Juxtaposing the complicated courtship conflicts of Regency-era England with honing their martial arts skills and weapons training, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies features all of Jane Austen’s classic characters alongside some new zombie-fied additions.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Characters
- Elizabeth Bennet |
- Mr Darcy |
- Jane Bennett |
- Mrs Bennet |
- Mr Bennet |
- Mr Bingley |
- Lady Catherine de Bourgh |
- Parson Collins |
- George Wickham
In addition to the countless hordes of zombies and the leagues of soldiers that are engaged in heated battle against them, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies also boasts an extensive cast. This includes Jack Huston as Mr George Wickham, Millie Brady as Mary Bennet, Suki Waterhouse as Kitty Bennet and Ellie Bamber as the youngest sister Lydia Bennet. However, the main characters who take centre stage throughout Pride and Prejudice and Zombies are listed as follows;
Elizabeth Bennet
Portrayed by Lily James, Elizabeth Bennet is still the headstrong young woman as depicted in Jane Austen’s original work. Moreover, in this adaptation she has acquired martial arts skills and weapons training as well as being well-read and quick-witted. Similarly to the plot of Pride and Prejudice, Elizabeth is reluctant to find a husband and would rather spend her time defending her family’s countryside estate from the ever-present threat of impending zombies.
Mr Darcy
Portrayed by Sam Riley, Colonel Fitzwilliam Darcy is a monster hunter who is charged with investigating rumours of a newly infected zombie at the Bennet’s countryside estate. Upon arriving at the estate, Darcy is instantly besotted with Elizabeth after witnessing her exceptional combat skills. Throughout the film Darcy strives to earn Elizabeth’s hand in marriage alongside detecting any potential zombie threats.
Jane Bennet
The eldest Bennet sister is portrayed by Bella Heathcote. Sally has a better proficiency for firing weapons than her depiction in Austen’s classic novel. In Pride and Prejudice and Zombies however, Jane Bennet still retains her intelligent, friendly nature and mutual attraction for the wealthy suitor Charles Bingley.
Mrs Bennet
Portrayed by Sally Phillips, Mrs Bennet is the mother of Elizabeth, Jane, Mary, Catherine and Lydia Bennet. Despite the threat of the zombie infestation, Mrs Bennet’s primary concern still remains to be finding eligible, wealthy suitors for all of her daughters.
Mr Bennet
Charles Dance portrays the patriarch of the Bennet household, Mr Bennet. He is driven to ensure that his family will be safe from the threat of zombies. When we first meet Mr Bennet, he has arranged for all of his daughters to travel to China. The purpose of their excursion is to learn martial arts skills and weapons training which will adeptly prepare them to defend themselves against any undead assailants they may encounter.
Mr Bingley
The handsome and eminently wealthy Charles Bingley is portrayed by Douglas Booth. When we first encounter the character of Charles Bingley at his family’s ball, it is evident that he is smitten with the eldest Bennet sister, Jane.
Lady Catherine de Bourgh
Portrayed by Lena Headey, Lady Catherine de Bourgh is a formidable noblewoman and Colonel Fitzwilliam Darcy’s aunt. Lady Catherine is as bossy as she is wealthy, and in this film she also happens to be a notorious zombie killer!
Parson Collins
Humorously portrayed by Matt Smith, Parson Collins is a pompous cleric who is fixated upon marrying one of the Bennet sisters in order to acquire a portion of Mr Bennet’s illustrious estate.
George Wickham
Portrayed by Jack Huston, Mr Wickham is a military officer who has a shared past history with Mr Darcy. To Elizabeth Bennet, George Wickham appears to be charming and she is quickly taken in by his tales of cruelty at the hands of Mr Darcy. So convinced and understanding is she, that her Aunt warns her not to fall in love with the dashing young officer.
Pride and Prejudice and Zombies Verdict:
If you are a fan of the Pride and Prejudice and Zombies novels then this film offers you the chance to see this zombie-infused twist of a classic novel on the big screen. Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is packed with a stellar cast who deliver amusing yet sincere performances of Jane Austen’s characters.
This film serves as a refreshingly humorous and violent twist on conventional Regency-era tales which usually focus solely upon social status and courtship conflicts. Ultimately, although the film’s writing and editing could at times benefit from improvement, Pride and Prejudice and Zombies is the ideal choice if you are looking for a light-hearted yet action-packed zombie film!
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